Exercise Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis in Patients with Major Comorbidities

Exercise therapy is recommended for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, data are lacking on exercise therapy for patients with knee OA who also have chronic medical conditions, and these patients often are not referred to physical therapy. In this study, 126 patients (mean age, 63) with knee OA and at least one comorbid condition (i.e., coronary heart disease, heart failure, type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or obesity [body-mass index, ≥30 kg/m²]) were randomized to a tailored exercise program or to standard medical care for 20 weeks. The exercise program consisted of two 30- to 60-minute sessions weekly of strength training and aerobic exercise adapted to patients' comorbidities, and patients were encour…